🌟 Why This Dessert Is a Timeless Favorite
We all love cherry pie.
We all love cheesecake.
But what if we combined them—without baking, rolling dough, or dirtying ten pans?
That’s exactly what Cherry Delight does:
✅ Only 6 ingredients —most are pantry staples
✅ Ready in 15 minutes + chill time
✅ Feeds a crowd —perfect for gatherings
✅ Freezer-friendly —great for meal prep or last-minute guests
✅ Kid-approved & party-perfect —colorful, fun, and handheld
It’s not just a dessert.
It’s joy in a glass dish.
🛒 What You’ll Need: Pantry Staples, Maximum Joy
Grab these cozy ingredients—you probably already have most:
For the Crust:
1 ½ cups (150g) graham cracker crumbs (about 10–12 crackers)
⅓ cup (75g) granulated sugar
6 tbsp (85g) unsalted butter, melted
For the Cream Cheese Layer:
8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Whipped Layer:
1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (like Cool Whip, thawed) —or 1 ¾ cups homemade whipped cream
For the Top:
1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling (regular or lite)
Optional upgrades:
Drizzle of chocolate syrup before serving
Sprinkle of chopped maraschino cherries on top
Almond extract (¼ tsp) in cream cheese layer for depth
That’s it.
No eggs. No gelatin. No cooking.
Just real ingredients, layered into bliss.
💡 Pro tip: Use full-fat cream cheese and real whipped cream for best texture.
🔥 How to Make It: Step-by-Step, Chill-by-Chill
Let’s build this like we’re creating edible joy—one layer at a time.
Step 1: Make the Crust
In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until moistened.
Press firmly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch dish or pie plate.
Chill in the fridge while making the next layer.
👉 Pro move: Use the bottom of a glass to press it smooth.
Step 2: Mix the Cream Cheese Layer
In a bowl:
Beat softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy (~2 mins).
Gently fold in half of the whipped topping to lighten the mixture.
Step 3: Assemble the Middle
Spread cream cheese mixture over the crust.
Smooth the top with a spatula.
Step 4: Add the Fluff
Spoon remaining whipped topping over the cream cheese layer.
Spread gently to cover completely.
Step 5: Top with Cherries
Carefully spoon cherry pie filling over the top.
Gently spread or leave in dollops for a rustic look.
Step 6: Chill & Serve
Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight.
Slice with a sharp knife (wipe blade between cuts for clean slices).
Serve cold—with extra cherries dripping down the sides.
Bonus: Leftovers keep beautifully for 3–4 days in the fridge.
💡 Pro Tips for Next-Level Success
🍒 Want more fruit? Try blueberry, apple, or peach pie filling
🧀 Extra creamy? Add ¼ cup sour cream to the cream cheese layer
🍫 Chocolate lover? Add a layer of chocolate pudding or drizzle with ganache
🍽️ Make ahead: Assemble 1–2 days ahead—perfect for stress-free entertaining
🧊 Freezer option: Freeze unbaked, then thaw in fridge before serving (texture may soften slightly)
🥧 Individual servings: Make in mason jars for parfait-style treats
🍽️ When to Serve These Golden Gems
🎃 Fall and winter holiday trays
🍒 Afternoon tea with coffee or lemonade
🎉 Baby showers, church suppers, and bake sales
🫶 To someone who says, “I don’t eat desserts” —watch them go back for seconds
Because once they taste that cool, creamy, cherry-kissed magic?
They’ll be converted.
❤️ Final Thought: Great Food Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
You don’t need 17 ingredients or a culinary degree to make something magical.
Sometimes, all it takes is:
A can of pie filling
A block of cream cheese
And the courage to layer it up
And when your partner says, “Did you buy this?”
Or your kid asks for “one more piece” after dinner…
You’ll know:
You didn’t just make dessert.
You made memory.